| | | AUGUST | 11 | MONDAY
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| The Power of Words
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
— Proverbs 15:4
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| READ: Proverbs 15:1-4
REFLECT: When I was in the throes of junior high insecurity and concerned about cliques, pimples, and a body awkwardly entering womanhood, a family friend made a comment that helped me to face another day. She said matter-of-factly, “You are beautiful, and you always have been.” I can still hear the intonation of her voice.
I can also hear my junior high gymnastics instructor telling me in front of the entire team, “You need to lose ten pounds if you want to be good at this.” Those harsh and careless words broke my spirit and damaged my health for the next three years.
Words are powerful. Many of the words we speak will have a greater impact and echo longer than we imagine. Reflect on influential words spoken to you, both positive and negative. Did the people who said them recognize the impact they would make? Most probably did not.
Today’s passage says that a gentle tongue is a tree of life, while perverseness of speech breaks the spirit. The “tree of life” reminds us of the fruit trees in Eden (Genesis 2:9) and in heaven (Revelation 22:2)—symbols of healing and immortality. Gentle, wise words are of eternal value, expressions of the Spirit that nourish those who hear them.
Do you hope to make a positive difference today? Pray that your tongue may be a tree of life. Pray that every word you speak will bear nourishing fruit and seeds of blessing.
— Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
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| RESPOND: May the words of my mouth be honoring to you, O God, and a blessing to those around me.
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